Determination of Some Heavy Metal in Sediments of Euphrates River in Nasiriya City, Iraq

Topsoil samples (0-20 cm) were collected from the sediments of Euphrates River in September, 2011.Total concentrations of five heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese(Mn) and zinc (Zn) were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry in order to assess their contamination levels of the sediments. Four stations were chosen in the Euphrates at Nasiriya city. Results showed that the average concentrations of these heavy metals in the sediments were significantly higher than those previous and similar studies. But the present study indices showed no contamination for Mn, and Zn, in all samples. Location variations were detected in these metals. The highest concentration of Cd was (38μg/g) and the lowest (15μg/g) were recorded in sta.3,4 respectively, Cu revealed the highest conc. 416 μg/g at sta.3. The lowest (317μg/g) was recorde8d in sta.1. The highest conc. of Fe was encountered in sta.2 (384μg/g), while lowest values were recorded from sta.1 was (840μg/g). Mn showed increments in sta.3 (370μg/g). and the lowest values were recorded in stas.1 was (327μg/g). Similarly, the highest conc. of Zn were recorded sta.2(96μg/g)and lowest was (84μg/g)at sta. 1. The study showed that pollution with some of these metals compared with global standard request watching period and continue test in regular periods.